Business owners who operate a retail space know that the investment required to make sure a store is up and running can be quite significant. While remodelling always involves some time and money, investing quality materials and equipment into commercial renovation will affect perceptions of current business. However, if renovations didn’t provide some return on investment, then businesses wouldn’t bother doing them. Design Contract gives few tips for commercial architects and interior designers to keep in mind when setting the budget for the client shop remodelling project.

For customers shop renovation has to hint at store success, brand culture and expansion, that shop is better than competitor’s when it comes to their shopping experience. For employees, working in a modern and well-designed store has to foster team morale and spark greater interest from new job candidates. For client – ahead of time interior design that will also increase their long-term profits. Summing up, store remodelling project has to dramatically increase the perceived value of your client’s store and brand over the time.
Read Design Contract guidelines for commercial architects and interior designers, to weight the costs versus the benefits of renovation, shares tips and some “succefull” projects.

Tip nr. 1. Determine What Needs to Be Done/Goals

Remodeling of an existing property does not require a total demolition. Cut remodeling costs by keeping existing electrical panels, plumbing fixtures, load-bearing beams, gas lines and cable and phone wiring intact rather than replacing them altogether. If you’re looking to replace entire structures, then installing new flooring, ceilings and lighting may be more cost-effective for your project.

Tip nr. 2. Form Your Team

Commercial architects and interior designers – find a reputable and reliable plumbing, roofing and other commercial-building professionals who meets deadlines, as well as one who is bonded, licensed and insured. Your team should be able to advise you throughout the remodeling process to ensure the right permits are processed; it can also guarantee management approvals are finalized and construction work is done according to health and safety codes.

Ask shop staff to contribute ideas about the store layout and merchandise, place yourself in the customers’ shoes to garner feedback about the shopping experience. Or even better, survey your customers on what they think about your layout before beginning the remodeling process. It can also help to take photos of the store and critique where improvements are necessary as the remodel is ongoing

Tip nr. 3. Establish a Timeline

Once you’ve assembled a building team that is serious about meeting deadlines consistently, develop a timeline to keep your remodelling project on track. A timeline will also guide you on when you should close and reopen the store. Hiring a contractor who meets deadlines consistently and finishes your project on budget is essential for minimizing costs and losses from sales. One way to motivate contractors is to negotiate an early completion incentive, which provides them with bonuses for early completion of the project, but reduces the compensation the longer the project takes. Remember, every day you use to remodel your client store also takes away days for your client to serve and sell to his customers.

Tip nr. 4. Be Professional Placing Store Elements

Think where you will place store’s service area, cash registers and merchandise. Take some time to analyze the foot traffic in current setup. Where are most customers congregating, walking and spending the most amount of time? Where do you want to funnel foot traffic, and how to do you want it to flow? Consider how to make the shopping experience more experiential rather than simply a chore. Then determine where to place different elements and attractions to create an ideal foot-traffic flow. Decide on the set of materials and colours you want to incorporate. Revise, revise and revise some more until you’re completely satisfied with the finished blueprint. Throughout this creation process, keep your focus on enhancing, improving and reinforcing the brand image. A store remodel presents an opportune time to revisit brand’s image and positioning in the minds of customers and employees.

Get inspired! STILL REMENBER OUT TIP “Consider how to make the shopping experience more experiential rather than simply a chore”? Well contemporary SAAD’s woman bags boutique interior design project in NY illustrates perfect commercial interior designer’s work.

What first impression do you want to create when prospects and customers glance through shop window or walk into store? Renovating store cater to these customers, and create a safe and comfortable space that shoppers can easily scan as they enter the premises. Design aisles wide enough and make sure shelving units are low enough for people to reach. A shop space that not only expertly displays merchandise but is also accessible and convenient for your target audience will help increase foot traffic and enable customers to shop in a way that is logical to them.

Get inspired! First Carl Lagerfeld concept store on Boulevard, St. Germain are morphing him in the limelight from a fashion designer to an interior designer. Dynamic identity of contemporary luxury Lagerfeld brand, “modern pieces combined with classic accents” Lagerfeld successfully synchronized the relationship between brick and mortar with digital options that makes shopping there a unique retail experience. Spanning two stories, the black and white interiors create a futuristic feel. Juxtaposing finishes in gloss and matte, illuminating walls by way of lights and mirrors, and deep black materials create a sleek back-drop for the full collection of Karl’s ready-to-wear. Fitting rooms are equipped with photo booths for snapping selfies where shoppers can edit their images, and share them on social media channels.

Choose lighting that complements the mood and sounds you want to create in your store. To direct customers to featured merchandise, use unique hand made chandeliers, create areas with low or dim lighting. For example, day spas typically create a “relaxing” and “warm” mood by building dim lights into custom cabinets and shelving units.

Color is said to have a powerful influence on our emotions. Thus, use colors in tandem with lighting and spacing that makes people want to shop in your store. Research the colour schemes being used in your industry, consult a color forecaster on what colours you should use to complement new and future product offerings.